why make this recipe
Shortbread cookies are a holiday classic — simple, buttery, and endlessly festive. These Irresistible Xmas Shortbread Cookies are perfect for gift tins, cookie exchanges, or a cozy afternoon with hot cocoa. They keep their delicate crumb while holding up well to decorating, which makes them ideal for creating a beautiful seasonal spread.
introduction
These cookies combine a tender, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread with classic Christmas shapes and bright decorations. The dough is forgiving and requires just a few pantry staples, making it a great recipe to involve kids or to bake in batches. If you enjoy decorative holiday cookies, you might also like this take on maraschino cherry shortbread for extra color and flavor: maraschino cherry shortbread Christmas cookies.
how to make Irresistible Xmas Shortbread Cookies
This recipe follows the traditional shortbread method: cream butter and sugar, add flavoring and flour, chill, roll, cut, and bake. The chilling step firms the dough so shapes hold well, and a light fork pricking keeps them from puffing. Decorate after cooling with sanding sugar, sprinkles, or a simple icing for a festive finish.
Ingredients :
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon salt, Optional: Sprinkles, sanding sugar, icing, chocolate chips for decoration
Directions :
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper., In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy., Add the vanilla extract and salt. Mix well., Gradually add the flour, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix., Form the dough into a disc and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 30 minutes., On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness., Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet., Prick the cookies with a fork., Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown., Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely., Decorate as desired with sprinkles, sanding sugar, or icing.
how to serve Irresistible Xmas Shortbread Cookies
Arrange on a festive platter or layer in parchment-lined tins for gifting. These cookies are lovely with tea, coffee, or a glass of milk. For parties, create an arrangement with different shapes and decorating styles to give guests variety.
how to store Irresistible Xmas Shortbread Cookies
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze undecorated cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to three months; decorate after thawing.
tips to make Irresistible Xmas Shortbread Cookies
- Use cold hands or a pastry scraper when handling chilled dough to keep it from warming too fast.
- Don’t overmix after adding flour; overworking develops gluten and makes cookies tough.
- If the dough gets too soft while rolling, chill for 10–15 minutes to firm up.
- For clean-cut shapes, chill cut cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking.
- Add a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of almond extract for a subtle flavor twist.
variation (if any)
- Chocolate-Dipped: Dip half of each cooled cookie in melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint.
- Almond Shortbread: Replace 1/2 cup of flour with finely ground almond flour for a nuttier texture.
- Festive Sprinkles: Fold 1/4 cup of sprinkles into the dough for colorful confetti cookies (note: sprinkles may bleed color in dough).
FAQ
Q: Can I make the dough ahead?
A: Yes — dough can be chilled for up to 48 hours or frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before rolling.
Q: Why did my shortbread spread?
A: Over-soft dough or too-warm butter can cause spreading. Chill the dough well and keep the oven temperature steady.
Q: Can I use salted butter?
A: Yes, but reduce the added salt to a pinch to avoid an overly salty cookie.
Conclusion
For a classic, buttery holiday treat that’s easy to personalize and perfect for gifting, these Irresistible Xmas Shortbread Cookies are a go-to. For another simple riff on shortbread that uses minimal ingredients, see this helpful version: 4 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies – Culinary Cool.
Irresistible Xmas Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and salt. Mix well.
- Gradually add the flour, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Form the dough into a disc and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes and place cookies on the prepared baking sheet.
- Prick the cookies with a fork.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Decorate as desired with sprinkles, sanding sugar, or icing.
